10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Ecuador That You Shouldn't Miss

August 3, 2021 Nobuko Falco

Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
Restaurants in Ecuador

1. Cascada el Pailon (del Diablo)

Rio Verde Km 17 11 Septiembre, Banos 180301 Ecuador +593 3-249-3165 [email protected] http://www.cascadaelpailon.com
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,122 reviews

Cascada el Pailon (del Diablo)

Follow the signs to Cascada el Pailon. Look for the colorful Hummingbird and colorful flags. Cascada el Pailón del Diablo is a spectacular natural wonder which lies on the edge of the cloud forest. At an impressive 265 feet, the thunderous waterfall emits high columns of swirling mist and showcases the untouched beauty of Ecuador. Awe-inspiring and breath-taking, the waterfall is named as one of the biggest single-drop waterfalls in Ecuador. However, there is more than just a waterfall! Brave the exciting & uniquely inclined suspension bridges, walk the beautiful riverside, explore the impressive flora and fauna and enjoy incredible up-close balconies! Only from Cascada el Pailon can the falls be seen up close from top to bottom. Come join us for our magical evening hours where nature and art unite in a beautiful light show! This colorful and interactive self-guided pathway will take you on a journey to see the waterfall in color.

Reviewed By global3adventure - Quito, Ecuador

One of the top highlights of both Banos & Ecuador is the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) Mother Nature's spectacular display of 3 thundering waterfalls where the Pastaza River cascades several hundred feet swirling into the rock basin. There are two entrances one from above and one from below. Wear sturdy footwear and a rain poncho as the steep steps, and paths are wet and slippery and filled with obstacles. Traversing the path into the Amazon you will encounter lush green flora, orchids, hummingbirds, and butterflies. You will cross several wooden suspension bridges, and crawl into caves behind the roaring falls. There are several balcony viewpoints along the way. The sheer height and power of the cascading water is breathtaking. Of course at the entrances there are a variety of vendors selling fruit, BBQ skewers, ice cream, & souvenirs.

2. El Cajas National Park

Cuenca 010219 Ecuador +593 7-237-0127 http://www.ambiente.gob.ec/parque-nacional-cajas/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,364 reviews

El Cajas National Park

Known for its more than 275 Andean lakes and many waterfalls, this national park is a popular destination for trout fishing, rugged hiking and camping.

Reviewed By Elias_Rovielo - Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil

As this is my last Andean country, I seriously thought if this tour would be worthwhile, the time spent to see the Andes mountains, bush (park) and lakes. I'm glad I didn't hear my mind! The tour has incredible trails around a lagoon with birds and flowers, then we go further up the high mountains to see high altitude lagoons with the reflection of the sky in them, unique high altitude forests and a lot of history. 1) First pond and complete lap around it; 2) The highest top of the park; 3) Another lagoon with a walk in the only high altitude forest; 4) Restaurant with lunch included; This shared tour was contracted with the great travel agency, Deep Ecuador Travel (Cuenca) with the fantastic guide Andrés León.

3. Pro Bici

Primera Constituyente 23-51 Larrea, Riobamba 060150 Ecuador +593 3-294-1880 [email protected] http://probici.com
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 323 reviews

Pro Bici

We offer excursions to Chimborazo and other snowpeaks, mountain lakes, thermal pools, rain and cloud forests and indigenous, historic and cultural sites that reveal unimagined natural and cultural wonders hidden to the common tourist.

Reviewed By AlexHesse1111

An all round amazing trip, cannot recommend enough! From the knowledge of the guides to the quality of the equipment. All the guides were extremely friendly and supportive throughout the 12 hour trip, tending to the needs and skill levels of each member of the group. They shared their vast comprehensive knowledge of the plants and different terrains we covered as well as explaining the history and spiritual aspects of Chimborazo. The bikes and safety equipment were all extremely well maintained and the advice given to deal with being at such high altitude was comprehensive and helpful!

4. Laguna Quilotoa

Laguna de Quilotoa, 070701 Ecuador http://www.turismo.gob.ec/el-quilotoa-considerada-una-de-las-lagunas-mas-bellas-del-mundo/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,194 reviews

Laguna Quilotoa

Reviewed By nowshiva - Lismore, Australia

We hired a car, from Quito. Much better than dealing with buses etc. The roads are really good. Signs are non-existent - have your maps on your phone to guide you. Also, a tip, download a map from Maps.me for offline use, of Quilotoa. Ok, so you arrive in the town, park, and then you have some choices. You can wander around a little, you can go down to the water - hire a kayak, or just hang out. Its a steep walk back up that hill, but I believe you may be able to hire a donkey to take you back up. We chose to hike around the crater. 11km. Its almost 4,000m, so be aware thats its really hard work. Worth carrying a cannister of oxygen, which you can buy in Quito for $30. The winds are REALLY strong. So you need something to cover your ears. Hiking we warmed up, but you need clothes at the ready. It took us 6 hours, with some breaks and lunch. Bring your food and water - nothing on the route. We took the advice and went counter clockwise. There some hills to climb - a lot, and one is up and up. The path is dusty, scrabble. Very narrow in places (like, 1m), with steep cliffs falling steeply away on either side. Not for the faint hearted! It was a fantastic experience. But extremely tiring - its like walking twice the distance at sea level. Worth doing, but be prepared for an intense time. The wind was very strong, the whole day. There are some choices - at times, you can go exactly up the ride. Other times, you can go around the sides of the hills, either on the outside or inside. We started at 10am. You wouldnt want to start much later than that, if you are going to do the whole loop. We met one guy who does it regularly, who claims he can do it in 4 hours, but thats serious power walking, and knowing what you are doing. The alternative is that you might walk for say 2 hours, and then retrace your steps. I am quite fit, but by the end, I felt a little dizzy. Very satsifying though.

5. Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila

Calle Eduardo Kingman Oe12-174 Av. Manuel Cordova Galarza, Mirador Volcan Pululahua, Quito 022 Ecuador [email protected]
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7,730 reviews

Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila

The Temple of the Sun Temple Painter Ortega Maila is a masterpiece built by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila after a great research of design and ancestral architecture to maintain his art and culture of the Andes. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with a guide. The tour includes an aromatherapy session and coca leaf tea courtesy of the museum.

Reviewed By I2924GCdanielt - Prague, Czech Republic

Great place to visit, within the hour tour you can experience aromatherapy, coca tea, and view world-wide class paints.

6. Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania

Garcia Moreno N 10-43, Quito 170150 Ecuador +(593)2584175 [email protected] http://fundacioniglesiadelacompania.org.ec/portal/
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,974 reviews

Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania

This Jesuit church is a masterpiece of baroque and Quiteno-colonial art with lavish golden altars and gilded columns, making it one of the most ornate structures in Ecuador.

Reviewed By tomy476 - Chicago, United States

Fundación Iglesia de la Compañía is a must see visit while in Quito. The $5 entry for tourists is well worth it. From floor to ceilings the cathedral of an overload of beauty for the eyes with gold inlay everywhere, carvings, statues, murals... While there Without a guided tour I listened in on a few guided groups and would recommend doing that. If you want, this would be an ideal place for a longer silent spiritual retreat like visit to take the beauty in...

7. Casa Museo Guayasamin

Mariano Calvache E18-94 y Lorenzo Chavez Barrio Bellavista, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 2-244-6455 [email protected] http://www.guayasamin.org
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,254 reviews

Casa Museo Guayasamin

This museum features exhibits related to the Ecuadorian contemporary artist Oswaldo Guayasamín including posters, signed prints and colonial religious art.

Reviewed By tortuga1959 - Bern, Switzerland

A great museum with a very interesting history behind. Guaysamin was a very special artist with huge talent.

8. Quito Old Town

Quito Ecuador 593-2-2528-700-1707 http://www.quito.com.ec
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,785 reviews

Quito Old Town

This historic district was the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its narrow streets, Spanish colonial architecture and historic attractions.

Reviewed By LidiaK54 - Toronto, Canada

Quito Old Town is exceptionnaly beautiful with ist numerous churches, narrow streets, picturesque squares, amazing views. It's an incredible pleasure discovering it by foot.

9. Cerro Santa Ana

Guayaquil Ecuador +593 4-230-1998 http://www.guayaquilesmidestino.com/es/historia-arte-y-cultura/cerro-santa-ana
Excellent
53%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,008 reviews

Cerro Santa Ana

Like the ugly duckling to swan tale, this once poor area was transformed into a prime tourist attraction – a 465-foot stairway flanked by colorful houses, eateries, gift shops and galleries.

Reviewed By ChristinaS2195 - Brooklyn, United States

Lovely stroll ... or hike ... depending on how you feel about the stairs. Everything there was alive with color and sound. You can easily find a $0.30 bottle of water and a $0.40 ice cream to cool you off!

10. Parque Historico Guayaquil

Avenida Central y avenida Rio Esmeraldas Samborondon, Guayaquil 090150 Ecuador +593 4-283-2958 [email protected] http://www.guayaquilesmidestino.com/es/naturaleza/afuera-de-guayaquil/parque-historico
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,664 reviews

Parque Historico Guayaquil

It includes 8 hectares divided in three zones: Wild Life, Traditions and Urban - architectural, where the nature, rural and urban aspects are brought together in one concept: encouraging the environment preservation, rescue and promotion of our customs.

Reviewed By erikastanton2012 - San Diego, United States

Parque Histórico was a great place to visit, beautiful combination of history and nature, the staff and food was wonderful, weekends provide shows and demonstrations of culture, we saw cacao, coffee and banana trees, beautiful flowers and animals (rescue animals ) It is a small but it is worth it !

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